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Legalization and obtaining a certificate for return to Russia
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Common Information
Documents legalization
In order for a foreign document to have legal force on the territory of Russia, it is necessary to go through the legalization procedure. This means confirming the authenticity of the signature and seal of the issuing institution.
If the document is in a foreign language, it is additionally necessary to make a notarized translation into Russian.
How complex, expensive and time-consuming this procedure will be depends on the type of document and the country in which it was obtained.
We will advise you on what to do in your particular case, how long the whole process may take, how to prepare documents for legalization and will help you fill out an application on the consulate portal.
Certificate for return to Russia
If you do not have a valid passport, for urgent entry into the territory of Russia you can obtain a certificate for return to Russia.
Who can apply:
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citizens of the Russian Federation whose passport has been lost, damaged or has expired
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citizens of the Russian Federation living abroad who cannot be issued a foreign passport due to restrictions on leaving the Russian Federation (for example, due to access to state secrets, military service, criminal record and other reasons)
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stateless persons living in the Russian Federation, or refugees who have lost a document confirming their status
If a Russian citizen who is abroad has never had his own foreign passport, he/she cannot obtain a certificate for return. In this case, you will need to apply for a foreign passport.
A certificate for return can, for example, be issued on an internal passport of the Russian Federation or an affidavit of two other citizens of the Russian Federation confirming your identity. If you do not have both valid passports and witnesses, you may need to first go through a procedure to verify your Russian citizenship.
To submit an application, the prior registration at the consulate is not required.
The processing time is from 2 to 27 days, the document is valid for 14 days.
The certificate for return does not replace a foreign passport and is intended exclusively for a single entry into the territory of Russia.
If there are no direct flights to the Russian Federation from the country of the consulate, it is recommended to check with the airline in advance whether they will allow you on the flight with this document.
Within 3 days after arrival to Russia, the certificate must be submitted to the territorial body of the Federal Migration Service at your place of residence.
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Necessary documents
Frequently Asked Questions

What is an apostille and why is it needed?
An apostille is a special stamp that confirms the authenticity of an official document for use abroad.

Where can I get an apostille?
An apostille is placed directly at the agency that issued the document.

Can I get an apostille on a civil registry document at the consulate?
No, the consulate cannot apostille documents issued in the Russian Federation.
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